Neck Lift at 49 with Midline Plication — Results at Just 5 Weeks

This 49-year-old patient underwent a neck lift with midline plication, facelift, temple lift, fat transfer, and scar revision, performed by Dr. Joseph Cruise at his Newport Beach practice. Her photographs were taken just 5 weeks after surgery.

One of the first questions neck lift patients ask is how quickly they'll look presentable, and these photos are an honest answer. At 5 weeks, her neckline is already dramatically restored: the fullness and banding beneath her chin are gone, the neck angle is sharp, and the jawline is defined. Some residual swelling is still present at this stage and incisions are still maturing, which means what you see here continues to refine for months. Most patients are comfortable in social and work settings well before this point.

The foundation of her neck result is the midline plication. By 49, the platysma muscle at the front of her neck had separated in the midline, creating banding and fullness that no amount of skin tightening could fix. Dr. Cruise sutured the muscle edges back together, rebuilding a firm base beneath the chin, then the facelift repositioned the deeper tissues of the jawline so the lower face and neck flow as one clean line. The temple lift balanced the upper face, fat transfer restored volume where aging had taken it, and a scar revision refined scarring from her past, leaving her skin smoother overall.

The result at 5 weeks: a crisp neck angle, a defined jawline, and a naturally refreshed face, with the best still ahead as healing completes.

If you're considering a neck lift but worried about downtime, a consultation at our Newport Beach office will give you a realistic, personal timeline, including what you can expect at 2 weeks, 6 weeks, and beyond.